Jin"go (?), n.; pl. Jingoes (#). [Said to be a corruption of St. Gingoulph.]

1.

A word used as a jocular oath.

"By the living jingo."

Goldsmith.

2.

A statesman who pursues, or who favors, aggressive, domineering policy in foreign affairs.

[Cant, Eng.]

⇒ This sense arose from a doggerel song which was popular during the Turco-Russian war of 1877 and 1878. The first two lines were as follows: --

We don't want to fight, but by Jingo if we do, We 've got the ships, we 've got the men, we 've got the money too.

 

© Webster 1913.